Pedro Feliciano has yet to throw a pitch for the Yankees since signing a two-year, $8 million deal in January of 2011, missing all of last season and the first four months of this season with a torn rotator cuff that required surgery.

However, general manager Brian Cashman told Erik Boland of New York Newsday that Feliciano has been throwing batting practice at the Yankees’ spring training complex and could be cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment “very soon.”

Cashman did his best to downplay any expectations that Feliciano could make an impact down the stretch, but a September call-up seems likely if he avoid a setback. Prior to the injury Feliciano was one of the most durable (or, in retrospect, overworked) relievers in baseball for the Mets, leading the league in appearances in three consecutive seasons with 86, 88, and 92.

I’m not one of those guys who pretends like being a baseball G.M. is an easy job but this is one guy that EVERYONE knew was in for a serious injury after the Mets abused him and Brian Cashman bit. He was solid for the Mets but no arm can take that kind of abuse. And forget about how many times the Mets used him, go see how many times they warmed him up!